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New Braces? Here are Some Foods That You Should AvoidSunday, August 14, 2016

There are plenty of differences between childhood and adolescence: from how kids versus preteens spend their time to how much influence parents have on their choices. But one thing you’ll need to vigilant about after you tween, preteen or teenager gets braces, is what they eat.

You might already have established healthy eating habits for your children and think that you’re all set now that they have braces. But what’s healthy for the body may still cause damage to braces. So, in addition to taking extra care in cleaning their teeth every day, your kids will also need to avoid these foods until the braces come off.

Avoid at All Costs

Hard or sticky foods should always be avoided because they can easily break or damage wires and brackets.

Examples of Sticky Foods to Avoid:

Gum (sugar-free or regular)

Licorice

Sugar Daddies

Toffee

Tootsie Rolls

Caramels

Starburst

Examples of Hard Foods to Avoid:

Ice

Nuts

Hard taco shells

French bread crust/rolls

Corn on the cob

Apples and carrots (unless cut into small pieces)

Bagels

Chips

Jolly Ranchers

Pizza crust

Limited Consumption

Some foods should always be considered “occasional treats” whether or not your child has braces, because of the damage they can do tooth enamel. Once your child has braces, however, it’s even more important to limit (or avoid) consumption of sugary foods and drinks because braces can make it even harder to keep your child’s teeth clean.

Minimize or Avoid Sugary Foods and Drinks like:

Cake

Ice Cream

Cookies

Candy

Soda

Sweetened tea

Gatorade

Kool-Aid

Drinks with sugar

Give us a call today for a free, initial consultation. We’re always happy to answer questions and help you decide if orthodontics is right for your family.